With the passing of the new resolution, Null now has the authority “including waiver of board policies, determined by the superintendent and board president, to be urgent given the unique and fluid circumstances and, if required by law, subject to later ratification of the board of trustees,” in consultation with board president Datren Williams.

The motion was passed unanimously with no discussion from board members over video conference to comply with social distancing guidelines.

“Since March 16, 2020, the district has been either closed or functioning under emergency operations in keeping with orders issued at all levels of government in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the explanation of the resolution in the meeting board book. “On March 17, 2020, the board of trustees passed a resolution delegating certain authority to Dr. Null necessary to maintain the operations of the district during this time. Since then, various governmental agencies have issued guidance and rules relating to continuing governmental functions. As a result, the district is submitting a second emergency resolution to the board of trustees for approval.”

Tuesday’s resolution also suspended all timelines for district personnel to hold hearings or issue responses “required under board policies … given the remote working conditions,” but timelines of appeals are not suspended.

With the new resolution, the district determined that “a day that the district is offering remote instruction to students is considered a school day” for purposes related to posting vacancies.

District offices are now officially designated closed for purposes of public health.

At its March 17 meeting the board approved its first emergency resolution granting Null the power to act in place of the board when it came to decisions about employee payments, implementing provisions of board policy, changing the school calendar, create guidelines around absences and leave time for quarantined employees, seek necessary waivers from the TEA, make necessary purchases, and take appropriate actions regarding temporary suspension of the Texas Public Information Act.

Discussion from board members during the passing of the first emergency resolution inquired about how the board would be informed or updated about actions Null takes under the resolution so that the board can respond to questions from constituents accordingly.

This week’s resolution directs Null to report to the board actions taken under the authority the resolution grants him until the first meeting of the board after the COVID-19 crisis is over.